NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
15 June 2004

LEVITT PAVILION AND CITIZENS BANK PRESENT “JAZZ UNDER THE STARS”

MAYOR REED ANOUNCES NATIONALLY KNOWN SMOOTH JAZZ ARTISTS MARCUS JOHNSON, ALYSON WILLIAMS AND MICHAEL BURTON TO PERFORM AT 5TH ANNUAL JAZZ UNDER THE STARS

Harrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced that the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts and Citizens Bank will present the Fifth Annual “Jazz Under The Stars” on Saturday, July 17, at 6:00 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Reservoir Park. The free concert event will feature national jazz recording stars Marcus Johnson, Alyson Williams and Michael Burton.

“Jazz Under The Stars” will also feature host Shaashawn Dial of 1400 The Touch, the Panama Band from Baltimore, MD, local band Syncopated Funk, and new this year will be a Dance Pavilion sponsored by 1400 The Touch and the St. Moritz Supper Club. The Dance Pavilion, themed “Grown Folks Groove,” will feature a DJ mixing ‘old school’ music and dancing from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the large enclosed pavilion adjacent to the Reservoir Park Mansion.

“Jazz Under The Stars” headliner Marcus Johnson was born in Columbus, Ohio, and raised in Washington D.C. Marcus began playing piano at age six, and was captivated with the idea of creating classic music, not just hit songs. Inspired by rap, hip hop, classic R&B, contemporary jazz, bebop and classical, his new CD, “Just Doin’ What I Do”, will be released in August. Marcus was just named to Ebony Magazine’s short list of the nation’s most eligible bachelors.

Alyson Williams was born in Harlem, NY, to a swing band leader and a dancer turned nurse. Boisterous and committed from an early age, Alyson’s personality foretold the story of a born entertainer with a phenomenal voice. Alyson has worked with the Commodores, Melba Moore, Whodini, Kurtis Blow and Evelyn Champagne King. Her new release, “It’s About Time”, is in stores now.

“We are delighted to continue Harrisburg’s longstanding tradition of excellent music with the Fifth Annual “Jazz Under the Stars” line-up that includes both national recording artists as well as exceptional local talent,” said Mayor Reed. “Jazz Under The Stars” is just one of the many outstanding free events available to Harrisburg’s residents and visitors this summer at city facilities.”

Free concerts continue all Summer long at the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Reservoir Park every Thursday through Saturday evening beginning at 7:00 p.m.

In case of rain, the Fifth Annual “Jazz Under The Stars” show will be moved to The Forum, with a 7:00 p.m. start time. Admission to the free show will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information on “Jazz Under The Stars” and the entire free Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts Series, please call (717) 233.3608, e-mail at : LevittPavilion@CityofHbg.com, or visit www.levittpavilionharrisburg.com. For information on all of Harrisburg’s events please visit www.harrisburgevents.com, or www.harrisburgpa.gov.

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